The Isavasya Riddle
Swarajya Mag|October 2017

To understand Mahatma Gandhi’s position on political economy, one must go to the first few verses of his favourite Upanishad.JAITHIRTH RAO

 

Jaithirth Rao
The Isavasya Riddle

MAHATMA GANDHI continues to be quoted by people of different political persuasions. He is seen by some as a “friend of capitalists” and by others as a “votary of socialism”. It is my contention that in order to understand Gandhi’s position on political economy, one needs to understand the sources of Gandhi’s ideas. Who influenced him and how? Gandhi was an English barrister and clearly Common Law concerns about trusts and trusteeship were part of his education and training. He was very friendly with Quakers, who almost certainly influenced him with respect to pacifism. Quakers have also had fairly strong views on issues like slavery, wealth, inherited wealth and so on. In the religious field, the influences of the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramcharitmanas, Gujarati Vaishnava hymns and the Sermon on the Mount are well-known. In this article, I propose to review the influence that the Isavasya Upanishad had on Gandhi and how it accounts for his surprisingly unusual and radical views on wealth, capitalism and trusteeship.

Bu hikaye Swarajya Mag dergisinin October 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Swarajya Mag dergisinin October 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

SWARAJYA MAG DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Hesitant Orbit
Swarajya Mag

The Hesitant Orbit

In order to march boldly ahead into the deep space, New Delhi must work towards building a station, boost its techno-economic planning and use the Indian Space Research Organisation smartly.

time-read
4 dak  |
December 2017
Nudges And Narratives
Swarajya Mag

Nudges And Narratives

The debate surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati brings India a complex network of portraits within a cultural world-system.

time-read
8 dak  |
December 2017
The Spell Of Specialisation
Swarajya Mag

The Spell Of Specialisation

THE INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE NEEDS AN URGENT REJIG. THE KEY TO SPEED AND EFFICIENCY LIES IN PUTTING AN END TO A GENERALIST APPROACH AND IN GOING FOR A NEW SERVICE.

time-read
7 dak  |
December 2017
Swarajya Mag

The Great Gamble

With demonetisation, the prime minister has taken a huge risk— both economic and political. He must succeed, because this move could transform both our economy and our society.

time-read
10+ dak  |
December 2016
The Lies And The Truth
Swarajya Mag

The Lies And The Truth

The government must be bold enough to up-end the activists who are coming in the way of the nation’s agricultural progress.

time-read
7 dak  |
August 2017
Figuring Out China
Swarajya Mag

Figuring Out China

China’s economic footprint is being followed by its military footprint. To know that is not be belligerent but to prepare oneself adequately.

time-read
5 dak  |
August 2017
Management 108
Swarajya Mag

Management 108

The Upanishads Have A Lot To Teach Today’s Executives When Outcomes Are Unpredictable, Relationships Complex, And Change Is The Name Of The Game. 

time-read
8 dak  |
August 2017
Sunny Days Ahead
Swarajya Mag

Sunny Days Ahead

THE NEW GUIDELINES FOR TAXI SERVICES ARE SENSIBLE, RATIONAL, AND MORE THAN WELCOME.

time-read
6 dak  |
August 2017
The Cultural World-System
Swarajya Mag

The Cultural World-System

Despite much talk of “soft power”, the fact is that whichever way you slice it, Indian culture fares poorly at seeking or exercising it

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2017
The Hard Way Forward
Swarajya Mag

The Hard Way Forward

India has been focused on software, but there are large opportunities to be seized in hardware. A primer, and some busting of myths.

time-read
10 dak  |
October 2017